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Exam Information
Official specifications published by CompTIA
Exam Format
165 min
90
750
Intermediate
Registration
$392 USD
Pearson VUE or online proctoring
English
Validity
3 years
Pass the most current version of the exam; Earn 60 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) over 3 years; Pass a higher-level CompTIA certification exam
PT0-003 Exam Topics and Domains
PT0-003 is organized into 5 weighted domains. Expect to work with Burp Suite, Metasploit, AWS, Azure, and more.
1
Engagement Management
13%
Summarize pre-engagement activities
Scope definitionRules of engagementAgreement typesTarget selectionAssessment typesShared responsibility modelLegal and ethical considerations
- Understand pre-engagement requirements and documentation
- Define scope and rules of engagement
- Identify legal and ethical considerations
Explain collaboration and communication activities
Communication processesRisk communication
- Effectively communicate findings and risks
- Collaborate with stakeholders throughout engagement
Compare and contrast testing frameworks and methodologies
Testing frameworksThreat modeling frameworks
- Understand various testing frameworks
- Apply appropriate threat modeling techniques
Explain the components of a penetration test report
Report structureReport componentsReporting considerations
- Create professional penetration test reports
- Document findings and recommendations effectively
Given a scenario, analyze the findings and recommend the appropriate remediation within a report
Technical controlsAdministrative controlsOperational controlsPhysical controls
- Recommend appropriate remediation strategies
- Understand different types of security controls
2
Reconnaissance and Enumeration
21%
Given a scenario, apply information gathering techniques
Active and passive reconnaissanceOSINT techniquesNetwork reconnaissance
- Apply various information gathering techniques
- Understand OSINT methodologies
- Perform network reconnaissance
Given a scenario, apply enumeration techniques
System enumerationResource enumerationSecrets enumerationWeb enumeration
- Perform comprehensive enumeration
- Identify system and service information
- Discover credentials and secrets
Given a scenario, modify scripts for reconnaissance and enumeration
Scripting fundamentalsLogic constructs
- Modify and create scripts for reconnaissance
- Understand scripting languages and constructs
Given a scenario, use the appropriate tools for reconnaissance and enumeration
Reconnaissance toolsNetwork scanning toolsWireless tools
- Select appropriate tools for reconnaissance
- Use tools effectively for information gathering
3
Vulnerability Discovery and Analysis
17%
Given a scenario, conduct vulnerability discovery using various techniques
Container scansApplication scansNetwork scansScan typesVulnerability scanning tools
- Conduct various types of vulnerability scans
- Use appropriate scanning tools and techniques
Given a scenario, analyze output from reconnaissance, scanning, and enumeration phases
Result validationExploit preparation
- Analyze scan results effectively
- Validate findings and eliminate false positives
Explain physical security concepts
Physical security attacks
- Understand physical security vulnerabilities
- Identify physical attack vectors
4
Attacks and Exploits
35%
Given a scenario, analyze output to prioritize and prepare attacks
Target prioritizationAttack preparationVulnerability metrics
- Prioritize targets based on risk
- Prepare attacks methodically
Given a scenario, perform network attacks using the appropriate tools
Network attack typesNetwork attack tools
- Execute network-based attacks
- Use network exploitation tools effectively
Given a scenario, perform authentication attacks using the appropriate tools
Authentication attack typesAuthentication attack tools
- Perform authentication attacks
- Use password cracking tools
Given a scenario, perform host-based attacks using the appropriate tools
Host attack typesHost attack tools
- Execute host-based attacks
- Perform privilege escalation
Given a scenario, perform web application attacks using the appropriate tools
Web attack typesWeb attack tools
- Exploit web application vulnerabilities
- Use web testing tools effectively
Given a scenario, perform cloud-based attacks using the appropriate tools
Cloud attack typesCloud attack tools
- Exploit cloud infrastructure vulnerabilities
- Understand container security
Given a scenario, perform wireless attacks using the appropriate tools
Wireless attack typesWireless attack tools
- Perform wireless network attacks
- Use wireless testing tools
Given a scenario, perform social engineering attacks using the appropriate tools
Social engineering typesSocial engineering tools
- Execute social engineering attacks
- Use social engineering tools
Explain common attacks against specialized systems
Mobile attacksAI attacksOT/ICS attacksWireless proximity attacksSpecialized system tools
- Understand specialized system vulnerabilities
- Attack mobile and IoT devices
Given a scenario, use scripting to automate attacks
PowerShell automationBash automationPython automationBreach and attack simulation
- Automate attacks using scripts
- Use breach simulation tools
5
Post-exploitation and Lateral Movement
14%
Given a scenario, perform tasks to establish and maintain persistence
Persistence mechanismsBackdoor typesSecurity control tampering
- Establish persistence mechanisms
- Maintain access to compromised systems
Given a scenario, perform tasks to move laterally throughout the environment
Lateral movement techniquesService exploitationLateral movement tools
- Move laterally through networks
- Exploit services for lateral movement
Summarize concepts related to staging and exfiltration
Data stagingExfiltration channels
- Stage data for exfiltration
- Use various exfiltration channels
Explain cleanup and restoration activities
Cleanup activities
- Perform proper cleanup after testing
- Restore systems to original state
How do I earn this certification?
Passing PT0-003 earns the CompTIA PenTest+ certification. It sits in the Cybersecurity track.
Current Level Exams
CY0-701 - CySA+
Alternative Paths
- CY0-701 - CySA+ Defensive security complement
- XK0-005 - Linux+Linux skills for penetration testing
- CV0-003 - Cloud+Cloud security testing skills
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
The most effective way to prepare for PT0-003 is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2024-12-17
- Announcement date: 2024-10-01
Updates
- AI/ML Security New in PT0-003 New domain coverage for AI attack vectors • Release date: 2024-12-17
- Container Security Enhanced in PT0-003 Expanded coverage of container escape and Kubernetes attacks • Release date: 2024-12-17
- Cloud-Native Tools Expanded in PT0-003 New tools like Pacu, ScoutSuite, Prowler added • Release date: 2024-12-17
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by Penetration Testers and Vulnerability Assessment Analysts.
- Network+ and Security+ or equivalent knowledge
- 3-4 years in a penetration tester job role
- Hands-on experience with vulnerability assessment
- Understanding of scripting languages (Python, Bash, PowerShell)